Betty Fraser, CEO of Kings Health Region, today announced that a new permanent physician has been hired to work in Souris. "We are pleased to have Dr. Paul Berrow and his family move to the area and to welcome Dr. Berrow as our newest permanent physician," said Ms. Fraser.
Dr. Berrow begins work at the Souris Hospital and Eastern Kings Family Health Centre on September 5, 2003. Dr. Berrow brings with him over 20 years of experience in family medicine. He and his family are relocating from Ashern, Manitoba where he has been practising for the past six years.
Dr. Berrow joins Dr. Haider Ali, who is working on a six-month term, Dr. Ralph September, who will be staying in Souris until August 2004, and Dr. Steve O'Brien, who has been a family physician in the Souris area for the past 26 years. The Region also employs several locum physicians who provide continuous coverage, including Dr. Ibrahim, who has been working in Montague and Souris since August 10.
"This means the call schedule is filled and we have a full complement of physicians working in Souris," said Ms. Fraser. However, the CEO noted that recruitment efforts are continuing. "We are still actively recruiting for another permanent physician and hope to have someone hired before Dr. Ali's term expires."
Local MLA, Andy Mooney, worked with community members to attract Dr. Berrow and his family to the region. Mr. Mooney said having another physician in the region will ease the concerns of area residents.
"The people of Souris and surrounding areas expect and deserve to have health care in their home community, and they deserve credit for working to show Dr. Berrow and his family what a wonderful community we have," said Mr. Mooney. "We certainly appreciate the work that Dr. Ali and Dr. September are doing, but we need to continue to work to recruit physicians who will settle in the area and make Eastern Kings their permanent home."